Expert: Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP - 3/22/2009

Question
Hi. I'm a 17 year old girl. I was in class one day and I actually turned my head sideways and on the opposite side, my neck suddenly cracked. I had a shooting pain and it was really bad and so right now, 3 days later, it still hurts.

Its not stiff or anything and its accompanied with a headache, sharp pains that move around the same side of the neck pain on my upper body. And tingling in my throat. This pain comes and goes. It does not wake me up at night and I usually do not have the pain at night (as in it does not wake me up). What do you think this may be?

Please answer ASAP. I went to the ER the other day, because i thought it was serious and I had symptoms of an anxiety attack. The doctor kind of just grouped the neck pain with the anxiety attack, and so, i would like to know if i should go back to the hospital or what...

Answer
Accidentally Cracked Neck




Hello Desiree,

I am sorry to hear of your pain and concerns.

Believe me, I am a Doctor, and when I hurt, have a symptom, whatever-- in my body,,,, I also get quite anxious !!!  We ALL like to have answers.

"......I  went to the ER the other day, because i thought it was serious and I had symptoms of an anxiety attack. The doctor kind of just grouped the neck pain with the anxiety attack, and so, i would like to know if i should go back to the hospital or what...", well,
you have gone to the Hospital; you have been examined by the MEDICAL doctor; you are not content with the diagnosis or treatment or outcome.

You are still concerned.

You still have symptoms:  ".....its accompanied with a headache, sharp pains that move around the same side of the neck pain on my upper body. And tingling in my throat. This pain comes and goes. It does not wake me up at night and I usually do not have the pain at night (as in it does not wake me up). What do you think this may be?....",  With your symptoms, I would definitely go for a second opinion.   Perhaps another MEDICAL doctor, or perhaps a CHIROPRACTIC doctor.

".... What do you think this may be?....", hmmmmmmm, I cannot tell long distance; you need an in person, hands on evaluation by a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC).  It may turn out to be a 'kink' in your neck, an alteration in biomechanical movement, a 'Vertebral Subluxation'.



Only a Doctor of Chiropractic will evaluate and treat for VSC, as well as other pathology.



My Staten Island Neck Pain patients often receive hand out informational sheets, this may be of help to you:



"Neck Pain"
“Pinched  Nerve”   ( Also Known As-  neuritis, neuralgia, brachial-neuritis, sciatica )

“pinched nerve” – is only ½ a diagnosis,  

WHAT is causing the ‘pinch’? Your Doctor of Chiropractic will examine and evaluate you to make sure you are not showing signs of neurological damage or disease, tumors, cancers,  severe pathology, perhaps a Herniated Disc, or a Vertebral Subluxation Complex.

Sometimes  we  can  wake  up  with  a  ‘pinched nerve’,  or  a  muscle spasm.... sometimes a slip, trip, fall, heavy lift, or even a motor vehicle accident can cause a ‘pinched nerve’.  Very often -  the true    c a u s e   of  the pinched nerve, painor numbness  in the:    neck and/ or  shoulder  and/ or  arm  and/ or  hand;   pain in the back and/ or   buttock/ hip/ leg/ knee/ foot -  is a misalignment,  a  ‘kink’ in the neck or back - more properly termed a Vertebral Subluxation.

              Vertebral   Subluxation   Complex    (a.k.a.  ‘subluxation’)
The vertebral subluxation complex is the underlying cause of many healthcare problems.

A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.



This is a serious condition identified by its five parts:

      Spinal Kinesiopathology:
         This is fancy way of saying the bones of the spine have lost their normal motion and position. It restricts your ability to turn and bend. It sets in motion the other four components.

      Neuropathophysiology:
         Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body.

      Myopathology:
          Muscles supporting the spine can weaken, atrophy, or become tight and go into spasm. The resulting scar tissue changes muscle tone, requiring repeated spinal adjustments.

      Histopathology:
         A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies result in swelling and inflammation. Discs can bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate. Other soft tissues may suffer permanent damage.

      Pathophysiology:
         The VSC contributes to OsteoArthritic degeneration.  Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths attempt to fuse malfunctioning spinal joints. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can cause other systems of the body to malfunction.____________________


The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.
         Automobile accidents, improper lifting, improper posture, alcohol, emotional stress, chemical imbalances, and long periods of sitting can cause the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
          Vertebral  Subluxation  cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone.  Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical correction-  -  -    a manipulation,     best performed with the chiropractic adjustment.    For good health-
Treat   the   Cause,  not just the Symptoms.

Dr. Victor E. Dolan,   Doctor of Chiropractic;   Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST  Chief of Chiropractic  in  a  Hospital  in  New York State (DHSI);  As  Seen  in  PREVENTION  Magazine
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


I also hand out information on using medication to cover up pain,,, this may be a mistake:




PAIN    

Pain  is a  ‘red light on the dashboard’.

Pain is your body telling you that something is wrong.

That RED LIGHT on the dashboard of your car-
-- do you ignore it until the car breaks down,
or do you get it checked and correct the problem?  

Pain,
pain in your body-
-- do you ignore it until your body breaks down,
or do you get it checked and correct the problem?  

Pain,  
do you cover up the pain by taking a painkiller?  
Take a painkiller, mask the pain, and allow a problem to progress in your body?



                             NOTICE  ON  PAIN  RELIEVERS:
 
Label changes ORDERED by FDA;  the FDA announced proposed label changes for OTC over-the-counter pain relievers to include the potential for stomach bleeding and liver damage (FDA news  206- 207;  12-9-06) ;

The  American Heart Association issued a scientific statement recommending medical doctors change the way they prescribe OTC pain relievers from a first choice to an alternate of recommending non-pharmacologic treatment (AHA statement  2-26-07).

NSAID Acceleration of ARTHRITIS; an important side effect of Aspirin and other NSAIDS is that it will inhibit cartilage repair and accelerate cartilage  destruction ( Journal of Rheumatology, 1982; 9: 3- 5 ). Many times people take NSAIDS for the pain of Arthritis, not realizing these drugs may make the underlying condition worse.  These medications cover up the pain, and cause the problem to worsen.


Pain  can  often  be  the  result  of  the  Vertebral  Subluxation  Complex.

Vertebral  Subluxation           (  ‘VSC’ ,    ‘subluxation’   )
Vertebral Subluxation  is  actually  a  quite  common  condition.   Doctors of Chiropractic look for pathological conditions which may require referral to other specialties,   and also look for ‘Subluxation’. Other disciplines look for pathology, but overlook the importance of alignment and movement in the spine which affects our nervous system  (the master control system- ALL health disciplines learn this).  VSC- ‘Subluxation’ – can be the cause of many symptoms and conditions.



Only  a  Doctor of Chiropractic  will  evaluate  and  treat  for  VSC,   as  well  as  other  pathology.



The course of VSC is highly variable.   Some patients with VSC literally cannot walk, yet other patients with similar test findings may be able to run marathons or lift heavy weights.    Some patients immediately develop symptoms related to the VSC,  some patients take years to develop symptoms.  Some people suffer for only a few days with pain and symptoms, some people suffer for months.  Some people recover in days, some take months or years, depending upon severity of the condition.

A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.


The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.  When subluxated, joints are in a stressed, vulnerable, compromised condition.  Subluxation may cause Arthritis, Disk Herniation, or aggravate such conditions.
       Vertebral  Subluxation   cannot   be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching,  yoga,  vitamins  or  physical  therapy  alone.       Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular-    mechanical-    problem  requires  a    mechanical correction-  -  -    a manipulation,         best  performed  with  the  chiropractic  adjustment.

Dr. Victor E. Dolan,   Doctor of Chiropractic;   Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians;  Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST  Chief of Chiropractic  in  a  Hospital  in  New York State (DHSI);  As  Seen  in  PREVENTION  Magazine
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


You are having symptoms.

You are concerned.

Of course, I recommend an evaluation, a second opinion.

You could return to the hospital or another doctor.

I would recommend a Doctor of Chiropractic, be evaluated, perhaps
treatment will be appropriate for you.


If you need further information, do not hesitate to re-contact me here at AllExperts.com @
http://allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm




I wish you good luck and Good Health Naturally,


Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP
http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com (Email Newsletter)